Converting "Real World" Animals and Vermin

[freyar]

I'm happy enough with it.

 

[Shade]

Crab Spider
FREQUENCY: Uncommon
NO. APPEARING: 1-6
ARMOR CLASS: 6
MOVE: 18”
HIT DICE:2 + 2
% IN LAIR: 50%
TREASURE TYPE: J-N, Q
NO. OF ATTACKS: 1
DMG/ATTACK: 1-6
SPECIAL ATT.: See text
SPECIAL DEF.: See text
MAGIC RES.: Standard
INTELLIGENCE: Animal
ALIGNMENT: Neutral
SIZE: M
PSIONIC ABILITY: Nil

These spiders are so named because in shape they resemble a crab and because, unlike other spiders, they are able to walk backwards and sideways. They have chameleon-like abilities and can change color and skin texture to match almost any background (glass, crystal, and murals excepted). They surprise on a roll of 1 on d4 because of their camouflage ability.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crab_spider

 

[freyar]

Pretty much normal spiders, though we can make the poison do paralysis according to wikipedia. Add some camoflage or Hide bonus, I guess. I also wouldn't mind adding a claw attack or something to the monstrous version.

 

[demiurge1138]

Poison should be Dex damage rather than Str, to simulate that paralyzing experience. Camouflage and a beefy racial bonus to Hide checks seems like a good idea.

 

[Shade]

All sounds good thus far.

In each case, crab spiders use their powerful front legs to grab and hold onto prey while paralyzing it with a venomous bite.

2 claws and improved grab?

 

[freyar]

2 claws with Imp Grab sounds good. Want to add an automatic bite when grappling?

 

[Cleon]

2 claws with Imp Grab sounds good. Want to add an automatic bite when grappling?

A crab spider uses its legs to wrestle prey, not to damage it, so I don't think a claws attack fits very well. Instead, I'd suggest the same approach as the SRD squid's arms (0) and bite (1d6+1), except with "legs" with improved grab instead of "arms".

A crab spider's forelegs are very powerful, and they can wrassle opponents several times their weight, which suggests either an unusual high Strength or a racial bonus to grapple. I'd prefer a racial bonus.

I'm OK with either an auto-hit bite or a bite with a circumstance bonus to attack when grapple.

Dex-damage poison to paralyse its prey is a fine idea. Makes a change from the other spiders.

EDIT: Although I would mention that crab spider venom is highly potent, so it often kills within seconds (I'm guessing this is because crab spiders are very slow and don't have webs, so usually only get one shot at their victim as they can't chase fleeing prey or entangle them, so must kill or immobilize them on the spot.)

EDITED EDIT: Maybe Dex and Con damage?

 

[demiurge1138]

Lots of Dex damage, perhaps. So it can Dex to 0 in one or two bites, then coup de grace. Since these guys are huge and monstrous, I'd be happy with giving them actual claw attacks, much like the tentacles of giant squid actually dealing damage as opposed to their smaller brethren.

 

[freyar]

I agree with demiurge here. These are monstrous, we can increase the forelegs to claw attacks.

 

[Cleon]

Lots of Dex damage, perhaps. So it can Dex to 0 in one or two bites, then coup de grace.

Well a Giant Bee has Dex 14 and a Giant Bombadier Beetle Dex 10, so it'll need to do around 2d6 or 2d8 Dex damage to have good odds of paralysing them in one or two bite.

Since these guys are huge and monstrous, I'd be happy with giving them actual claw attacks, much like the tentacles of giant squid actually dealing damage as opposed to their smaller brethren.

I thought they were Medium and monstrous.

Well give them claw attacks if you like, although I wouldn't have them do much damage - say, 1d3 or 1d3 apiece (or aclaw).